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Audio Levels for Voice?
Hi, I produce televison commercials on the Oregon Coast and have an audio question. I’ve alway just guessed where the level should be on voice overs (I can sense the pros cringing already lol) and have kept it below 0db on the meter on my software so it doesn’t go into the red (Adobe Soundbooth CS3 for example).
Is there a standard level that tv stations and radio stations prefer/expect such as -3db or something for the final mix? I’m mixing with music and pretty much figure that balance out by ear, but what’s a good level for the final mix before I send it off?
Thanks in advance, Donovan
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10 Replies
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How are you delivering the finished spots?
What medium?
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Normally I send the video with audio to the tv station as an avi or mpeg (30 second commercial). Occasionally, I send just the audio to a radio station as mp3. Thanks, Donovan
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Hello Donovan and welcome to the Cow Audio Forum,
My experience is that TV stations are ALL OVER THE RODE when it comes to levels. I’ve been told that dubbing a spot onto the station computer is an interns job and you will drive yourself crazy by listening to your spot on different stations in the same market.
I would peak at -.5 dB but I would also compress and limit to increase loudness and density.
Regards,
Ty Ford
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“My experience is that TV stations are ALL OVER THE RODE…”
Ty, either that’s a cheesy audio pun or you have microphones on the brain! 🙂
Rodney
Freelance Sound Technician/Mixer
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LOL thanks Ty. Donovan
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Rodney!!!!
You can not Cow me with your comments about cheese, sir, nor get my goat!
I can only say quel dommage about your comments du fromage. 🙂
Regards,
Ty Ford
Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
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“you will drive yourself crazy by listening to your spot on different stations in the same market.” – Oh man are you right about that one. Sounds great on one station… and like crap on another. And amazingly clients still think it is your fault when they heard the final mix out of your studio sound GREAT! and good on one but bad on another…… we must have made a bad dub…. pshhhh.
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So does no one know the “correct” agreed delivery specs.
Im in th eUk and am absolutely clear on this issue for the Uk. Im amazed that the uS seems so wooly on it.UK delivery spec is
Bars & tone 09 58 00 00 – 09 59 30 00 .
Bars EBU 75% Tone 1k @ -18dbfs (PPM 4)09 59 30 00 – 09 59 57 00 clock
Audio @ 10 00 00 12 – tx end -12f
level audio @ +8db peak from ref (PPM 6) ie -10dbfs.Overstep these marks on a delivery tape or file and expect rejection.
Peter
NB Rules in UK about to change regarding compression and percieved loudness, but for now we all just compress away. Soon a new calibration will come in with a loudness scale effectively doing away with compression techniques to increase loudness on air so style, texture and skill can come back into play.Peter
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[Peter Groom] “Im in th eUk and am absolutely clear on this issue for the Uk. Im amazed that the uS seems so wooly on it. “
Peter,
In the UK, are the stations run by the government?
Ty Ford
Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
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NO definately not. Think you might be thinking of China or the former soviet union!
The BBC is funded by a license fee, which is compulsory if you own a device capable or recieving any tv or radio. This fee is awarded to the bbc with govt involvement but the govt have no broadcast control of any sort.
Independent Television ie Sky, ITV, Channel 4 etc is funded through advertising revenue.
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